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Stuff Every Bird Owner Should Know

Pet bird basics: lifespan, cost, noise, diet, safety, vet care and what owning a bird takes.

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  1. About how long does a pet budgie (parakeet) usually live?
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    About 5 to 10 years. Merck lists the budgie's average lifespan as 5 to 10 years. A budgie you get in 3rd grade could still be with you in high school.

  2. About how long can a pet cockatiel live?
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    Up to about 20 years. Merck lists cockatiels as living up to 20 years. Even this smaller parrot can require care for many years, so plan for the long haul.

  3. Large parrot species may live for more than how many years?
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    More than 70 years. The University of Illinois veterinary school says large parrot species may live more than 70 years. Families should plan carefully before making such a long commitment.

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  1. About how long does a pet budgie (parakeet) usually live?
  2. About how long can a pet cockatiel live?
  3. Large parrot species may live for more than how many years?
  4. What average lifespan does Merck give for Amazon parrots?
  5. Why do African grey parrots often develop behavior problems?
  6. Which of these birds does Merck say is NOT for inexperienced owners?
  7. Why can lots of cuddling be a problem for cockatoos?
  8. Which bird does Merck call suitable for apartment living because it is usually not loud?
  9. Why can a macaw cause trouble with neighbors?
  10. Larger conures, like sun and jenday conures, are known for what?
  11. African greys may know the most words of any parrot, but often won't talk when?
  12. Which birds are happy singing in their cage and don't enjoy being held?
  13. Large parrots like cockatoos and African greys need interaction with people how often?
  14. A lonely, bored pet bird may start doing what?
  15. What can result from keeping a solitary bird in a small cage with little exercise?
  16. What safety rule applies when a bird exercises outside its cage?
  17. How big should a bird's cage be, at the very least?
  18. What cage shape do most birds prefer?
  19. What bar spacing does Merck recommend for a budgie or cockatiel cage?
  20. Macaws and large cockatoos need cage bars spaced about how far apart?
  21. When buying a cage, what does Merck advise owners to get?
  22. How does a bird's size affect the cage it needs?
  23. How often does Merck say to take a pet bird to the vet?
  24. When should a new bird first see an avian (bird) vet, per CDC?
  25. Where should a pet bird come from?
  26. What should make you careful when buying a bird?
  27. What should a good bird seller agree to?
  28. When choosing a bird, which is a warning sign it may be sick?
  29. Most pet birds today wear a closed leg band. When is it put on?
  30. Most pet parrots in the US today are what?
  31. What does the US Wild Bird Conservation Act do?
  32. After living abroad at least a year, how many exotic pet birds may a person import in a year?
  33. Does the Wild Bird Conservation Act cover exotic bird feathers too?
  34. What is CITES?
  35. A bird species on CITES Appendix I is what?
  36. In 2016, African grey parrots got what new protection?
  37. Can you catch a protected native songbird to keep as a pet?
  38. Since a 2004 change, which birds may the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protect?
  39. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act first carried out a 1916 treaty with which country?
  40. Which pet parrot cannot legally be kept as a pet in California?
  41. Before getting a bird, CDC says to check which laws?
  42. Why is giving away a large parrot so hard on the bird?
  43. Why are lories and lorikeets extra messy pets?
  44. What diet balance does Merck recommend for most budgies and cockatiels?
  45. What should form most of a larger parrot's diet?
  46. For a larger parrot, when are seeds and nuts best offered?
  47. Why can a mixed bowl of pellets and seeds still leave a bird underfed?
  48. What is a major problem with a traditional seed-only bird diet?
  49. How should a bird usually be changed from seeds to pellets?
  50. What should an owner track while changing a bird to pellets?
  51. During pellet conversion, what weight loss means call the veterinarian?
  52. Which is an appropriate vegetable choice for many pet birds?
  53. How much of a pet bird's diet should fruit make up under UC Davis guidance?
  54. Which part of an avocado is safe for a pet bird?
  55. Why must birds be kept away from chocolate and caffeine?
  56. What can onions, garlic, leeks and chives do to a bird?
  57. Is a sip of an alcoholic drink safe for a pet bird?
  58. What makes overheated PTFE nonstick cookware especially dangerous to birds?
  59. Where should perfume, aerosol cleaners and air fresheners be sprayed around a bird?
  60. Why should lit candles be kept out of a bird's environment?
  61. What should happen to a ceiling fan before a bird leaves its cage?
  62. What must be checked before letting a bird out of its cage?
  63. Why should windows and mirrors be made obvious to a flying bird?
  64. Should a bird share loose playtime with a friendly cat or dog?
  65. Why must electrical cords be hidden from a parrot's beak?
  66. Which water hazard should be secured before out-of-cage time?
  67. How closely should a bird be watched outside its cage?
  68. How much uninterrupted sleep should a pet parrot usually get nightly?
  69. What setup helps a bird get reliable rest each night?
  70. What room temperature range does the University of Florida suggest for pet birds?
  71. Why is sunlight through a closed window not the same as unfiltered sunlight?
  72. What must a bird be able to do when offered direct sunlight?
  73. Does a roomy cage replace safe out-of-cage activity?
  74. Why might an avian veterinarian recommend keeping a bird flighted?
  75. Does a wing trim guarantee that a pet bird cannot fly away?
  76. What can happen after an excessively aggressive wing trim?
  77. What should good bird toys encourage besides fun?
  78. What makes a toy unsafe for a large, powerful parrot?
  79. How can familiar bird toys stay interesting?
  80. What natural behavior does a food-dispensing toy encourage?
  81. What is a constructive way to reduce biting behavior?
  82. What should happen when a bird responds correctly to a step-up cue?
  83. Pressure on which area makes it hard for a restrained bird to breathe?
  84. Why should a pet bird see an avian (bird) veterinarian?
  85. Why do pet birds often hide signs of illness?
  86. What is a common sign a pet bird might be sick?
  87. What change can warn that a pet bird is ill?
  88. Which eating change should make a bird owner call the vet?
  89. What breathing sign can mean a bird has breathing trouble?
  90. What causes psittacosis, an illness people can catch from birds?
  91. How do people most often catch psittacosis from birds?
  92. What symptoms can psittacosis cause in people?
  93. How often does CDC say to clean bird cages and food and water bowls?
  94. When cleaning a bird cage, what should you never use to pick up droppings?
  95. When does CDC say to wash your hands around a pet bird?
  96. Where does CDC say NOT to keep a pet bird?
  97. CDC says some pet birds may not suit a home with whom?
  98. What can cause feather plucking in a pet bird?
  99. Which does Merck call likely one of the most common causes of feather plucking?
  100. What is egg binding in a female bird?
  101. Why is egg binding treated as a bird emergency?
  102. Which diet is linked to fatty liver disease in pet birds?
  103. What is the most common fungal infection in pet birds?
  104. How should a pet bird ride in a car?
  105. Moving to another US state with a pet bird? What might that state require?
  106. Which bleeding stopper does Merck suggest for a bird first aid kit?
  107. A bird's bleeding has stopped. What should you do with the clot?
  108. What helps a sick or hurt bird on the way to the vet?
  109. Why should you never give a bird human medicine without a vet?
  110. What does Merck say a towel in a bird first aid kit is for?
  111. Which of these is a bird emergency?
  112. How closely should kids be watched around pet birds?
  113. Who should trim a pet bird's wings?
  114. What should a kid do if a pet bird looks sick or acts different?
  115. Which phone number does Merck say to keep in a bird first aid kit?